Without freedom of expression, Malaysia will not develop, nor reach TN50: Rawa

Kuala Lumpur: Members of Parliament (MPs) from the opposition parties fear that the country will not prosper if freedom of expression is being controlled by the government when the Anti Fake News Bill 2018 becomes the law.

MP of Parit Buntar, Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa (pic) said, without freedom of expression and freedom of information for the people and the media, the development of the country would not be on the right track especially on the Transformasi Nasional 2050 (TN50).

Meanwhile, MP of Ipoh Barat M. Kulasegaran (DAP) proposed for a Select Committee to be formed to enable the laws regarding anti-fake news be complete and involves all especially on the investigation aspects.

“The Prime Minister need not rush the Bill to be passed as it would be misunderstood as an Act to silent the Oppositions,” he said in the debate session at Dewan Rakyat today.

However, Setiu MP, Che Mohamad Zulkifli Jusoh (BN) said, the anti-fake law will apply to everybody and not only to politicians.

He added, there were no social media when the Printing Presses and Publication Act 1984 was formulated.

“It is very important and is the right time for Anti Fake News laws to be implemented to protect any individual that is affected to have the right to be heard in the court,” he emphasized.